Walking off the pitch following relegation last year in the Million Pound Game Shaun Lunt’s own personal anguish was amplified when he saw the tears streaming down the face of his son.

The enormity of what it meant to so many people washed over him, leaving behind an impact that meant under no circumstances would he walk away from the challenge of taking Hull KR back up again.

From agony to ecstasy, with Widnes Vikings beaten and a return to Super League assured, Lunt again greeted his son. This time, no tears, just unbridled joy as he held him aloft under the blue skies which had arrived to greet the Robins’ flight to the top division.

“This is a massive contrast from this ecstasy to what we felt this time last year. It’s unbelievable. I couldn’t be more proud of any of those boys,” explained Lunt, revelling in the achievement.

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And what an achievement. Unbeaten with five wins from five games in the Super League Qualifiers. It may not have always been pretty in this fierce battle for a place at the top table, but earning a seat was what counted, not the style in which it was done.

“We knew the significance of it if Warrington won. We got the call on 65 minutes that they had,” explains Lunt.

“If Jamie (Ellis) had kicked that goal at the end it would have made it a whole lot easier but that’s how we’ve played all year; dogged performances. It wasn’t pretty but who cares? We won and we’re up.”

Hull KR are back in Super League

And so, how big an achievement is it for Lunt personally? Back in February with his long-term future committed to the club the Rovers captain said promotion would be his greatest achievement. Does the former Grand Final winner stand by that?

“Yes 100 per cent. The feeling today is better than after winning the Grand Final. I 100 per cent standby that,” says Lunt in a manner that leaves no room for debate.

“It was hard. Really hard. The nerves were there they have been all season. We’ve not made it easy for ourselves but who cares now?

“Even if we didn’t win this game and we didn’t go up we’re still better club-wise. Our foundations and our structures are a lot more solid compared to then.

“The club has given us a foundation to build on but Tim (Sheens) as a coach has been just unbelievable. His man-management is second to none and he is by far the best coach I’ve worked under so far.

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“Sheensy has been absolutely huge and for him to take us up to Super League in his 700th game is absolutely immense. There’s no words out there I can use to describe how good he’s been and what a bloke he is. He’s phenomenal.”

WE'RE BACK! Hull KR celebrate promotion. (Image: SWpix)

Having taken in the celebrations at the ground, in town after and yesterday with his family, Lunt knows the hard work is just beginning with keeping Rovers in Super League next season now the focus.

“The hard work’s to be done; that was easy compared to next year,” added Lunt.